The Ashes 2010: England have also been known to stretch boundaries of fair play

With some reports suggesting the Australians are 'doctoring' the pitch at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground to make it pacy like Perth, it is worth noting that
England have also been known to stretch the boundaries of fair play in the
past.

Spin doctor: Graeme Swann shone at the Oval in 2009 as England beat Australia to regain the AshesPhoto: REUTERS

By Huw Turbervill

9:50PM GMT 21 Dec 2010

England v Australia, the Oval, 2009 A dry, turning pitch, which Australia misread – and it cost them the Ashes. They omitted Nathan Hauritz, and watched Graeme Swann take eight wickets as England won 2-1.

England v Australia, the Oval, 2005 England wanted a surface that lacked menace. They led Australia 2-1 but were reeling at 199 for seven in the second innings. Kevin Pietersen and Ashley Giles exploited the benign conditions to see England to safety.

England v Australia, Trent Bridge, 2005 The Australians were livid that England were using some of the best fielders in the county game as 12th men, while their pacemen popped off for comfort breaks. It came to an ugly head when Gary Pratt ran out Ricky Ponting. He was furious.

England v West Indies, Leeds, 1991 Low, slow Headingley was a good ‘home banker’ when England needed a result, and it suited a seam-only attack of Phil DeFreitas, Steve Watkin and Derek Pringle in a 115-run win.

Ever since Allan Border told Robin Smith: “What do you think this is, a ------- tea party?” when the batsman asked if he could have a glass of water, sledging (or merntal disintegration, as Steve Waugh called it) has been a key part of Australia’s armoury.

But the head of their players’ union, Paul Marsh, swears blind that the national side lost their potency once they were told to tone it down after a particularly fractious Test against India at Sydney two years ago. Teams have exploited this “weakness”, Marsh says.

Judging by Mitchell Johnson’s behaviour at Perth, though, it seems the Aussies are finding their voice again. Thank XXXX for that.